Astros: 3 under-the-radar prospects to keep an eye on at mini-camp

Corey Julks is picking up reps at a new position this March.

According to McTaggart, Julks is taking reps at third base in mini-camp, a position he has one full game at in the Minor Leagues. The regular outfielder will work both positions this spring, as versatility could be high on his list.

There is jam of outfielders near the top of the system, and for Julks, who is now 25-years-old, versatility will help him advance in the system. The Triple-A level ran thin for infield options following the 2021 season, hence the addition of Diaz.

“Julks is hoping to add that tool to his tool box,” minor league field coordinator Jason Bell told Climbing Tal’s Hill. “He has been playing a good outfield but would help his career to also play third base, as well as helping the organization overall.”

Julks found a new stroke of power in Double-A for 2021, bumping his OPS up to .840.

The right-hander did take a stay on the injured and development lists but didn’t see a promotion to Triple-A, even with his offensive success. This could have been in-part to the promotions of outfielders like Leon, Norel Gonzalez and Marty Costes.

With another position under his belt, Julks is bolstering his chance of promotion.

While acquired right before the lockout, the Astros could have high hopes for Logan Cerny.

Cerny was on the Astros’ return for catcher Garrett Stubbs to the Philadelphia Phillies, before the Rule 5 Draft that affected the ability to change the 40-man roster. Cerny, a 10th round selection, was taken three picks before the Astros.

The Astros took a different collegiate outfielder in Michael Sandle, who will also be at mini-camp.

For Cerny, Houston might have had interest in him before the 2021 MLB Draft, while he didn’t face any of the affiliates in the Florida Coast League nor Low-A. The right-hander ranks No. 28 by MLB Pipeline for the Astros with a 70-grade run.

Although not highly known around the baseball word, Edwin Diaz could be a similar project to Jose Siri.

Diaz, not the one that attempts to close for the New York Mets, has been assigned to the Oakland A’s in his career but has never made it to the major leagues. He embarks on a new minor-league career with Houston, off the 40-man roster.

His signing went unreported by beat writers, as Climbing Tal’s Hill stumbled upon it on Baseball America’s transaction page last month. The signing wasn’t system changing for Houston, in part to Diaz’s offensive struggles as of late.

In 41 Double-A games in 2021, the 26-year-old was average, slashing .243/.319/.438. Diaz has strokes of power, but offensive consistency doesn’t look to be an attribute in recent seasons.

Diaz’s glove is what interested the Astros.

“Diaz is great,” Bell said. “He has incredible hands defensively and gives us some more options amongst the infield position.”

The Sugar Land Space Cowboys saw the departures of infielders Jacob Wilson, who was also a former Athletic, Robel Garcia, Miguelangel Sierra and others following the end of the 2021 season, so Diaz’s addition could be adding that depth lost.

This is similar to claiming Robel Garcia from the Los Angeles Angels last spring or signing Siri, who was also on his last leg, to round out the outfield at the Triple-A level.